5 Sounds to be Grateful for This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all the things we typically take for granted throughout the year.

And that includes our capacity to hear.

While sight, taste, and smell are at the forefront of our mind throughout the holiday season, hearing generally takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying better attention.

To completely enjoy the holiday season requires being fully present, and that includes being mindful of all the sounds that in most cases escape our full attention.

Here are five sounds to be mindful of and thankful for this Thanksgiving.

The sound of a busy kitchen – You can’t match the smell of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to indulge in the sounds of a lively kitchen with food popping and sizzling and timers going off? With a house packed with hungry guests, you’re especially not going to want to miss those timers.

Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is a chance to bring everybody together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or interesting stories from friends and family you rarely get to see. And as for those you’d rather not hear from, you’ll just have to choose your seat at the table carefully.

Thanksgiving day football – To the discouragement of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow included itself into the holiday traditions. But for the sports fans in the family, the sounds of the crowd, the big hits, and the eruption after a touchdown are difficult to match in intensity.

Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and applauding crowds in the background is an essential of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to make sure you catch all of the music and activities.

Holiday movies – Has anyone ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? After the heavy tryptophan-filled feast and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.

Each one of these sounds enhance the complete Thanksgiving experience, and the more attentive we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s an important part of being fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.

Regrettably, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate several of these sounds. Missing out on worthwhile discussions, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, creates stress and anxiety that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.

That’s why we’re inviting those with hearing loss to give some thought to the use of hearing aids prior to the holiday season. Hearing aids can optimize all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, potentially for the first time in years.

It’s time to take back your holiday season—arrange your hearing test today!